Japanese police from 10 prefectures have arrested website operators using Coinhive to tap into the computer power of their site visitors to mine cryptocurrencies without consent. They are accused of violating the law banning the use of computer viruses. Some people have already been fined. The police have been monitoring the Coinhive program since it was released.

16 People Caught

The police from 10 prefectures throughout Japan have reportedly caught 16 people using mining programs to mine cryptocurrencies using other people’s personal computers, according to local media. The Japan Times reported the National Police Agency saying: Read more...

Arrest warrants have reportedly been issued to three employees of a small South Korean cryptocurrency exchange, including its representative director. The three are “suspected [of] fraud and embezzlement,” according to local media.

Arrest Warrants for Crypto Exchange’s Employees

On Monday, local media reported that arrest warrants have been issued to employees of a South Korean cryptocurrency exchange. “Three of the company’s executives, who operate virtual currency trading site HTS Coin, were arrested for [suspicion of] fraud and embezzlement,” Money Today wrote. Read more...

Police in Malaysia have arrested 9 individuals that were involved in the theft of Bitcoin mining machines, amounting to over $ 250,000 USD.

Those that engage in the world of cryptocurrency have increasingly become the targets of criminals. The usual case of criminal mischief is of a person buying or selling virtual currency being robbed of the cash they’re carrying. Now it appears that Bitcoin mining equipment is no longer safe. Police in Malaysia have just arrested 9 people who were involved in the organized stealing of such equipment.

Police in Kenya arrest three Bitcoin traders on charges of money laundering by using stolen money to purchase cryptocurrency.

There are some definite advantages to using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, such as anonymity and ease of use. Of course, one of the main benefits of digital currency is that anybody, no matter where they are in the world, can be an active participant in the crypto economy. But there are times when the advantages of Bitcoin can lead some people into hot water, such as what happened recently in Kenya where three Bitcoin traders were arrested by the police and charged with money laundering. Read more...